Support for Students amid conflicts in Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon.
The JCR is a voice of all Catz undergraduates and is committed to supporting students amid the appalling and tragic events that are currently unfolding in the Palestine region and across the wider Middle East. In response to various student requests—whether made in person or through our online suggestions form—seeking support for those impacted by the Israel-Palestine conflict, this page aims to provide an overview of available welfare resources, offer some transparency towards college and university policy and have your say on JCR action going forward. There is a place for lament and anger and fear at what is happening, but there is no place for Islamophobic or Antisemitic words and actions.
HAVE YOUR SAY
https://forms.gle/DrQqSSF7rNahRPsz8
• The JCR has made this form in response to requests by students about how to support those affected by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East
• This form will be used to inform the actions of the JCR going forward
• This form is anonymous and voluntary
• We encourage everyone to respond to this form.
•Any responses submitted will then be discussed at the following JCR meeting
General JCR Meeting Suggestion Form
https://www.catzjcr.com/anonymous-suggestions
JCR Discussion
Please also view our past discussions in our published meeting minutes.
https://www.catzjcr.com/minutes
Open Meetings
Every JCR meeting is open for any St Catharine’s students to attend as per our constitution. Meetings will be advertised publicly on our social media and agendas emailed out 48 hours in advance by the Vice President.
If you would like to attend virtually please email jcr.president@caths.cam.ac.uk
COLLEGE WELFARE
Those impacted by the conflict are encouraged to reach out to their Tutor and our College Health and Wellbeing team (https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/welfare-hub/students).
The Welfare appointment booking system can be found below.
https://ob.rushcliff.com/holding-page/555808
Additionally the JCR Welfare officers are available by email (jcr.welfare@caths.cam.ac.uk) or by Instagram DMs
WELFARE RESOURCES
Additional resources compiled by Ally, our former college chaplain, can also be found below. This includes a new University service via a Racial and Religious Discrimination Adviser, who can offer emotional and/or practical support to any student who may have been impacted by racial or ethno-religious discrimination.
University’s ‘Sources of support for those affected by events in Gaza and Israel’
https://www.cam.ac.uk/go/support-for-students-and-staff-affected-by-events-in-israel-and-gaza
Cambridge University Islamic Society, www.isoc.co.uk
(welfare page: isoc.co.uk/welfare)
Cambridge Central Mosque, 01223 654020; cambridgecentralmosque.org
(for an appointment with one of the imams: cambridgecentralmosque.org/meet-an-imam)
Tell MAMA, for reporting incidents of anti-Muslim hatred:
tellmamauk.org, 0800 456 1226
Cambridge University Jewish Society : www.cujs.org
Rabbi Ben and Atira Baruch ben@mychaplaincy.co.uk, atira@mychaplaincy.co.uk
Rabbi Reuven Leigh, rl324@cam.ac.uk
Union of Jewish Students dedicated welfare line: 02074243288
Community Security Trust hotline for reporting antisemitic incidents: 0800 032 3263
University’s Racial and Religious Harassment Adviser
Cambridge University Palestine Society: www.cambridgepalsoc.weebly.com
Facebook : @palcambridge
Twitter : @cupalsoc
Email: cambridgepalsoc@gmail.com
The University’s Racial and Religious Harassment Adviser is available to support students and can be contacted via the Harassment and Violence Support Service:
HVSS@studentsupport.cam.ac.uk
https://www.studentsupport.cam.ac.uk/harassment-and-violence-support
Cambridge University Report and Support: reporandsupport.cam.ac.uk
REPORTING SYSTEMS
University Anonymous Reporting System
https://www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk/anonymous-reporting-students-and-staff
University Non-Anonymous reporting system for any form of harassment
(issues from which will chiefly be directed to the Senior Tutor)
Catz JCR Religious Discrimination Anonymous Reporting Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedgbO1Y0ME7aiq3m2-UKgGo71MjH75j-Py1CGnsapsdXKGXw/viewform
COLLEGE POLICY
Policy on Protest and Freedom of Speech
The college’s published Code of Practice states that “peaceful protest is itself a legitimate expression of freedom of speech”
For more information see section 6 https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/about-us/strategic-documents-policies/college-policies/code-of-practice-freedom-of-speech
The college has also stated that it has a Prevent Duty required by UK law which applies to the College as a whole, although there has been no evidence that the recent protests and the former encampment have prompted concerns in relation to this duty. For more information about Prevent:
Policy on Investment
Many students have expressed concerns about St Catharine’s investment holdings and have called for divestment from companies involved in global systems of harm, including state violence and human rights violations. The information we have on college investments can be found below:
The St. Catharine’s College Investment Policy:
An earlier article on college Ethical Investment Strategy:
https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/ethical-investment
Note: The college’s current account provider is Barclays, a bank which is under scrutiny due to investments and financial support to companies and projects linked to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
Divestment
St Catharine’s JCR voted in favour of the previous SU motion for University demilitarisation and it is in support of the college stance that:
"The College does not and will not hold any direct investments in fossil fuel, arms, tobacco, child labour or gambling industries.” (https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/about-us/college-documents/publication-scheme/policies/divestment )
UNIVERSITY NOTICES
Most recent University notice from the Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education (Published 17 Jul 2024)
University statement on the encampment protest in front of King’s College (Published: 07 May 2024)
https://www.cam.ac.uk/notices/news/statement-on-the-encampment-on-kings-parade
Initial statement from the University Vice-Chancellor (Published 12 Oct 2023)
https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/message-from-the-vice-chancellor-middle-east-israel-gaza
STUDENT UNION NOTICES
Sabbatical Team statement Israel-Palestine (Published: 13 October 2023)
https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/cambridgesu/Statement-on-Israel-Palestine/